Ep 495 - Eragon, by Christopher Paolini (w/ Natasha from Unspoiled!)
Sep 27, 2021
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Natasha from the Unspoiled podcast joins the hosts to discuss Christopher Paolini's 'Eragon'. They talk about dragons in fantasy, the disappointing movie adaptation, fantasy tropes, differences between the book and the movie, Eragon's revelation, and the portrayal of female characters. They also discuss battles, betrayals, and speculate on the author's influence of fame.
The podcast explores the familiar fantasy elements found in the book Aragon, such as dragons, evil kings, magic, and an oppressive empire.
The protagonist, Aragon, undergoes a rapid transformation from a young boy to a skilled warrior and magician, forming a strong bond with his dragon, Saphira.
The accidental use of magic by Aragon raises questions about the magical system and its reliance on specific words, sparking curiosity about the extent of his powers and the potential dangers involved.
Deep dives
The Mysterious Egg and the Birth of Squarespace
A young boy named Aragon discovers a mysterious egg that hatches into a dragon named Saphira. Together, they form a mental connection and embark on an adventure. Aragon's uncle is killed by the evil King Galbatorix's henchmen, the Raz'ak. Aragon joins forces with the storyteller Brom to seek vengeance and ends up learning various skills, including sword fighting and magic. As their journey progresses, they encounter the oppressive Empire and become involved in a larger conflict.
Plot Elements and Tropes
The podcast episode discusses various plot elements and tropes found in the book, Aragon. It explores the familiar fantasy elements, such as dragons, evil kings, magic, and an oppressive empire. The story follows the classic hero's journey narrative, with the young protagonist discovering his extraordinary abilities, teaming up with a mentor, and embarking on a quest to defeat the forces of evil. The book includes elements reminiscent of works like Lord of the Rings and Star Wars, but also attempts to introduce unique characters and develop their relationships.
Character Development and Relationships
The main character, Aragon, goes through a rapid transformation from a young boy to a skilled warrior and magician. He forms a strong bond with his dragon, Saphira, which allows them to communicate telepathically. Their relationship is a central focus of the story, and despite the derivative nature of the plot, the book explores their connection and affection for each other. Other characters, such as Braum and Angela, contribute to the development of Aragon's character and assist him on his journey.
Criticisms and Controversies
The book has faced criticisms for its heavy reliance on fantasy tropes and similarities to other works in the genre, such as Lord of the Rings and Star Wars. Some readers have found the writing style and descriptions to be overly complex and verbose, while others appreciate the fast-paced narrative and action sequences. Additionally, there are discussions about the author's age during the writing and publishing process and the influence of his family's publishing company on his success. Overall, opinions on the book are mixed, with some readers enjoying the familiar fantasy elements and others finding it unoriginal and lacking in depth.
The accidental use of magic
During a fight, the protagonist, Aragon, accidentally uses magic for the first time, using a curse word he heard earlier. This accidental use raises questions about the magical system and its reliance on specific words. The incident sparks curiosity about the true extent of Aragon's powers and the potential dangers that come with them.
Exploring Aragon's character development
Throughout the podcast episode, Aragon's character development and his exploration of his newfound powers are discussed. Aragon's curiosity and desire to push the boundaries of his abilities is highlighted, as he wonders about the limitations and possibilities of his magic. However, some critiques are raised regarding the lack of consequences for his actions and the absence of him truly grappling with the choices he makes.
Natasha from the Unspoiled podcast joins us this week to hatch a podcast about Eragon, a book that borrows freely from every other fantasy/sci-fi story that existed as of its creation in the early 2000s.
